Everybody's Journey Is Individual: Happy Birthday James Baldwin

Ninety-two years ago today, James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York at the height of that neighborhood’s historic renaissance. His upbringing in a troubled home, his precocious intelligence and sense of identity as a gay black man, and the social injustices that he observed and experienced first-hand, saw him become a leading voice of letters in the mid-20th century.
Baldwin’s debut novel Go Tell It On the Mountain (1953), a semi-autobiographical account of Baldwin’s hard knock Harlem youth, is often cited as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Baldwin’s collection of essays Notes of a Native Son (1956), is a milestone of literary reportage, one that collects some of the most poignant essays on race identity and literary criticism ever written. Giovanni’s Room, published a year later, takes as its subject Baldwin’s homosexuality, to which the writer would give what was then widely considered a shocking treatment, namely, an air of humanity.

Baldwin would later break the floodgates with his charged essay The Fire Next Time, a manifesto published a year prior to the Civil Rights movement, which he would participate within and help see to success. That spirit has been revived in a new book, The Fire This Time, an anthology edited by novelist Jesmyn Ward, that gather the works and words of a new generation responding to race.

All of this served to make Baldwin an American icon. He enjoyed a long friendships with some of the greatest artists and thinkers of his time, and was himself one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century. In observation of his birthday, we’ve posted two videos — a short documentary on his life and a recording of him reading — to honor his memory:

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.